Legal Blog

Telebriefs®: How Ethics or Compliance Hotlines Can Help Your HR Department

November 28, 2016

Ethics or compliance hotlines consist of phone numbers which employees can call to register observations or complaints against fellow employees, supervisors, or managers, with the option of keeping anonymous. The call service may in fact be organized and run by third party businesses, but ultimately can be funneled to the employer’s HR department or compliance officer. Many employers have found these hotlines to be useful in their workplaces. However, it is important to note that the calls provide a prompt which then obligates the employer to investigate and to follow up with the reported complaints. The employer must gather as much information as possible to either refute or to substantiate the reported complaint the call has made. Regardless, many employers find it useful because it can be a less-intimidating alternative for employees to approach HR with any issues they are facing in the workplace. To learn more about this alternative and what it entails, listen to this week’s Telebrief here.

Also in this week’s Labor and Employment Telebrief: non-compete agreements vs. non-solicitation agreements and what Donald Trump’s presidency could mean for the future of labor and employment law and the current Supreme Court vacancy.

ABOUT THE TELEBRIEFS®

Geared to executives with employee relations responsibilities (HR directors, supervisors, managers, business owners), Labor and Employment Telebriefs® are information-packed 30-minute briefings via the telephone. Telebriefs® provide information and insights to help executives stay current with latest workplace law developments and in front of trends so as to enable proactive policy making and management. On the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month, from 9 – 9:30 am ET, join Offit Kurman Labor & Employment Chair Howard Kurman, as he discusses developments occurring over the past two weeks that will most significantly impact employers nationwide. The focus is squarely on the practical. Why is this event significant for employers? What are the lessons to be learned or actions taken? These twice-monthly teleconferences are an easy way to stay current and compliant with the latest Labor and Employment law developments that will significantly affect you and your company. Our guarantee: You will learn something useful, on every call! If you have any questions regarding labor and employment issues, please contact

ABOUT HOWARD KURMAN

Howard K. Kurman is an employment attorney. Mr. Kurman regularly counsels clients on all aspects of proactive employment/labor issues. He represents employers ranging in size from as small as 20 employees to those employers with geographically disparate locations consisting of over 4,000 employees. Mr. Kurman assures, through regular contact with his clients, that they promulgate and maintain the most effective employment policies that will, to the extent possible, minimize their legal exposure in today’s litigious workplace. Mr. Kurman offers advice on employee handbooks, employment agreements, and covenants not to compete as well as confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements. Previously, Mr. Kurman was the chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Practice Group.